Jefferson County, WI Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Jefferson County Code § 18-73(a) lets the health officer condemn and mark as unfit any dwelling or dwelling unit that is abandoned, damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin infested to the point of creating a serious hazard, lacks adequate sanitation facilities, is the source of a confirmed case of lead poisoning or asbestosis, or has uncontrolled indoor air contaminants such as mold, ammonia, carbon dioxide or formaldehyde. Once condemned and placarded under § 18-73(c), the unit must be vacated within a reasonable time set by the health officer, and § 18-73(d) bars anyone from using it again until the health officer gives written approval and removes the placard.

Defacing or removing the placard is itself a separate violation under § 18-73(e). Before any placard goes up, § 18-73(g) requires the health officer to give written notice describing the property, the violations found and the corrective action required, allowing a reasonable time to comply; notice can be served by ordinary mail or as provided in Wis. ch. 801. The same article's enforcement mechanism in § 18-75 lets the health officer issue a citation under Wis. 0113, or refer the matter for court action seeking a higher forfeiture or injunctive relief, and lets the county abate an immediate hazard itself and recover the cost from the owner.